UJ #12 - 60 unique experiences in Peru

LIMATOURS / 60 YEARS
Christian Declercq
LimaTours
The ascent of Cotahuasi begins in the villages of
Siguas, Corire and Aplao (Majes, Arequipa), the
trail passes through Chuquibamba to reach more
than 4500 m.a.s.l., between the Solimana and Coropuna
volcanoes. From there the river descends to the
Cotahuasi Canyon, considered the fourth deepest on
the world (3535 metres), after Yarlung Tsangpo (China,
5590 metres), Apurimac (Peru, 4691 metres) and
Kali Gandaki (Nepal, 4375 metres).
It is navigable by the brave. The route is usually covered
in 4×4 trucks and the expedition lasts three to
four days and generally everything is included.
In addition to observation of the flora and fauna in the
area, you shoot the Sipia rapids and visit interesting
archaeological sites and pre-Inca ruins in the margins
of the canyon.
This is not an adventure to be taken lightly. Although
the guides are experts some experience is necessary
and you have to be able to swim: the rapids on the
River Cotahuasi are level III and IV, with a few class V.
Tame the white waters
of Cotahuasi
The steepest canyon in the Americas
Come to where time stands still
Ollantaytambo, a living Inca town
Ollantaytambo is synonymous with good walking
and maize with cheese. Its peaceful
Main Square is the place for sellers of the largegrain
variety —appellation of origin— straight
out of the pan, and lumps of fresh creamy cheese.
Sometimes you can also get humitas, a sort
of tamal made from white maize that is soft and
delicate. Biting into one is a taste of heaven and
they give you the strength to cope with the hundreds
of stairs leading to one of Cusco’s greatest
treasures.
Ollantaytambo is one of the most interesting
places in the Sacred Valley, famous for its huge
ceremonial centre erroneously referred to by
many as a “fort”. But in fact it is the town itself
that enchants; it dates from Inca times and retains
the original structure and architecture, but it
is inhabited. Stone buildings separated by courtyards,
the walls full of recesses. Its families live
a quiet communal routine between perfect 15th
Century stone wall. Its streets, aqueducts and
small woods make up an ancient landscape
transmitting peace and good energy.
Stay for a couple of days and lose yourself in a
natural idyll that you will not find anywhere else.
The future preservation of
Ollantaytambo is assured.
The community, the
municipality, provincial,
regional and national
governments and the main
actors in the private tourism
sector represented by
TurismoCuida have united to
carry out the Plan Wallata,
which will make this district
a model of responsible and
sustainable development
and an exemplary cultural
tourism destination.
LimaTours is a founding
member of TurismoCuida.
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